ensus on the proper treatment of animals generally in American society and especially the use of animals in medical and other scientific experimentation. Strong emotions are present on each side of the issue. In order to understand the concept of animal rights and animal welfare and the controversy surrounding the use of animals in medical and other scientific experimentation, it is necessary to examine (1) the goals and philosophies of those active in the animal rights and animal welfare movements, and (2) the uses to which animals are applied and the philosophies underlying such uses.
When most Americans think of animal rights and animal welfare, they think of the use of animals in biomedical research, or they think of fur seals. Animals are used, however, for many other purposes, and, depending upon one's perspective, these uses are either justified or unjustified.
Approximately 17 million animals are used each year in the United States in laboratory experiments. Biomedical researchers justify this use by stating that it "is necessary t
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